Pressure vessel for storage of liquids at abnormally high or low temperatures



Feb. 22, 1949.

H. C BOARDMAN 1 PRESSURE VESSEL FOR STORAGE 0F LIQUIDS AT ABNORMALLYHIGH 0R LOW TEMPERATURES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 9, 1944 I 1949- H;(2. BOARDMAN PRESSURE VESSEL FOR STORAGE 0F LIQUIDS AT ABNORMALLYHIGI'IOR LOW TEMPERATURES Filed Oct. 9, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 G aara 2%Feb. 22, 1949. H. c BOARDMAN 2,462,064

- PRESSURE VESSEL FOR STORAGE OF LIQUIDS I AT ABNORMALLY HIGH OR LOWTEMPERATURES Filed 001.- 9, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 arr 67,5047" mar;

Patented Feb. 22, 1949 sures QFFlQE PRESSURE VESSEL FOR STORAGE OFLIQUIDS AT ABNORMALLY EEGH R LOW TEMPERATURES Harry G. Boardman,Chicago, 111., assignor to Chi. cago Bridge & Iron Company, acorporation of Illinois This invention relates to a pressure vessel forthe storage of liquids at abnormally high or low temperatures.

The present'invention is particularly adapted for the storage of liquidsat low temperaturesand high pressures. It may also be used for thestorage of hot liquids at high pressure. The ordinary carbon steel losesa great deal of its impact strength at very low or very hightemperatures. For example, at temperatures suitable for the storage ofliquefied hydrocarbons it is desirable to employ Monel metal or otherhigh nickel alloys. In accordance with the present invention, arelatively thin inner shell member of temperature-resistant metal, suchas Monel metal may be employed in the form of a fluid-tight shell ofintersecting spherical segments. The outward stresses of these segmentsare transmitted along the lines of intersection to insulating supportsof non-metallic material such as Marinite to an outer shell which ispreferably fluid-tight and is preferably in the form of a regularpolyhedron. This outer shell may be made of common carbon steel.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a planview of one form of the improved tank; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectiontaken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1'; Fig. 3 is a section taken along theline 3-3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the outside of theinner shell; Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention;and F g. 6 is a section taken along the line 6-5 in Fig. 5.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the sphericalsegments in intersect along the lines II which all fall in the planes ofthe diagonals of the cubical outer shell l2. The radially outwardcomponents of the stresses of the spherical segments are carried by.non-metallic insulating supporting members I3 which extend to theedg'esof the cube [2. The cube I2 is made up of welded plates of ordinarycarbon steel. The space 84 between the inner and outer shells ispreferably evacuated in any suitable manner. Liquid may be introduced toand withdrawn from the inner shell in the usual manner by any pipe (notshown). The foundations for the vessel are not part of the presentinvention and accordingly are not shown. It will be observed that theapex I5 of each circular segment lies on the perpendicular from thecenter of the adjoining side l6 of the cube, and that planes connectingthe adjacent corners of the intersections would form an inscribed cube.

In the form shown in Figures 5 and 6, the exterior shell 12a isdodecahedral in shape, and the intersecting spherical segments Illa aretwelve in number, the center of each segment again, however, beinglocated on a perpendicular beneath the center of each side. Thespherical segments are supported along the lines of intersection Ha bythe Marinite supports I311. which extend in each. case to, and only to.an edge of the outer dodecahedral shell.

The thin inner shell is free to expand and contract between the pointsof support, changing its radius of curvature as it does so.

The spherical segments need not have the sameradius of curvature or thesame thickness. Differences in the stresses which must be carried by thevarious segments may be adjusted by varying the thickness and holdingthe radius of curvature constant, or by varying the radius of curva- Theforegoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: l

1. A pressure vessel for storing liquids at extremely high or lowtemperatures comprising an outer shell in the form of a polyhedron ofcarbon steel, diagonal insulating supports extending inwardly from theedges of said polyhedron to the intersections of spherical segmentsequal in number to the faces of the polyhedron and arrangedsymmetrically with respect to the sides thereof, the spherical segmentsbeing composed of a metal capable of retaining a substantial part of itsstrength at extreme temperatures, and forming a fluid-tight shell.

2. A vessel as set forth in claim 1, in which the polyhedron is a cube.I

3. A vessel as set forth in clainr-l, in which the polyhedron is adodecahedron.

4. A pressure vessel for storing liquids at extremely high or lowtemperatures comprising: an outer shell in the form of a regularpolyhedron; an inner shell made up of. a plurality of sphericalsegments, said spherical segments being composed of a metal capable ofretaining a substantial part of its strength at extreme temperatures andsaid spherical segments intersecting in lines lying in the plane of thediagonals of said outer shell, and a plurality of insulating su portsdisposed only along said intersections,

said insulating supports transmitting to the outer inner shell comprisessix spherical segments and t the outer shell is made up of sixcorrespondingly disposed equal plane sides forming a cube.

8. A vessel as set forth in claim 4 in which the outer shell is in theform of a regular dodecahedron and each face of the dodacahedron issubtended by one spherical segment.

HARRY C. BOARDMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Place Mar. 31, 1908 SalmonDec. 27, 1927 Williams May 1, 1928 Zenner Feb. 20, 1934 Cornelius July29, 1941 I Hansen Sept. 23, 1941 Jackson et a1 Sept. 21, 1943 Jackson etal Feb. 8, 1944 Morrow i. Mar. 13, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country DateFrance 15, 1933

